Commuter Aircraft Trials

The new founded Daily Air and some other chinese airlines are seeking entrants for a competitive fly-off evaluation for a commuter Aircraft.

The aircraft should have a crew of 2 men and having room for a capacity between 5 and 20 passengers and a luggage compartment. In order to have an increased security for the flight over the sea, for the purpose of the redundancy, a 2-engine airplane is prefered. Range is considered to be sufficient between 800 and 1500km. Due to the mission profile on unpaved island or mountain airfields, the aircraft must have STOL performance (Take-off to 15m: 300-400m / landing from 15m: 300-400m).

The tests will be held in a two-week evaluation at the Pescadores Islands and in a two-week evaluation on the Lhasa Airport. All companies wishing to tender should send at least two aiframes of each model (if one has the lower passenger capacity and the second has the higher capacity) offered. At the end of the evaluation the chinese airlines hope to place orders but also a license production in the chinese empire is part of the purchasing contract. Only the best performing aircrafts will be selected.

Quoted

The aircraft should have a crew of 2 men and having room for a capacity between 5 and 20 passengers and a luggage compartment. In order to have an increased security for the flight over the sea, for the purpose of the redundancy, a 2-engine airplane is prefered. Range is considered to be sufficient between 800 and 1500km. Due to the mission profile on unpaved island or mountain airfields, the aircraft must have STOL performance.

Could you please define "STOL performance" in terms of minimum take off distance and/or maximum landing distance? The Yugoslav IK-4 *could* meet the minimum requirements depending upon how you define "STOL performance".

The Chileans would love to offer the Constelación Twin Condor, which - near as I can tell, meets all of the specs, especially the STOL performance. It has a decent service history in South American service. Constelación wanted to offer it for license-production in Australia, but since that doesn't seem to be panning out, China might perhaps be a market...

Ikarus IK-4
The Yugoslavian IK-4 aircraft isn't considered in the commuter trials, cause the successor of this aircraft, the IK-7 is a far more intersting design and therefore is a demonstrator of this aircraft invited to China for extensive testing.

Renard R.45
A new modern twin engined, twin-boom aircraft with low wings. Capable of transporting up to 48 passengers or cargo (has rear clamshell loading doors). The range with nearly 900km fullfills a little bit more than the minimum. Not really STOL performance, but has capability to operate from grass fields. Another disadvantage is the biggest size of all competitors, and therefore unfortunately too big for the desired application. But different other chinese airlines has shown interest in that aircraft and will get in contact with Renard.

The total points awarded were 22.

Fokker F.123
The aircraft is a flying boat which was designed as a shoulder wing mounted plane with retractable nose wheel. The engines are mounted above and in front of the wing, so they are protected against splashing water. With a capacity of 18 passengers and a range of 2000km it is at the upper limit or even above the requirements. Since this is a flying boat, there is no STOL performance. Daily Air and other airlines shown big interest in that aircraft.

The total points awarded were 29.

DHA-3 Drover
The de Havilland DHA-3 Drover is based on the de Havilland Dove design but used a trimotor configuration. However, the advantage with 3 engines is offset by the disadvantage that the aircraft is flown with only one pilot, which is considered critical, especially for flights in mountains area and oversea flights. The type's shortcomings were becoming apparent during the testphase. These included the aircraft's lack of power, especially in hot weather, and an unfortunate tendency for propellers to fail in-flight. No chinese airline is interested in that aircraft.

The total points awarded were 15.

DH.104 Dove
The de Havilland DH.104 Dove is a low-wing monoplane that is particularly suitable for short distances and therefore unfortunately lies in the lower part of the requirements. While standard passenger versions would carry between eight and eleven passengers its also positioned at the lower part of the requirements. Positive, however, is the STOL-performance which makes the plane again interesting. One chinese airline is interested in that aircraft.

The total points awarded were 26.

DH.114 Heron
The de Havilland DH.114 is an expanded version of the DH.104. The hull has been extended to accommodate additional passengers or cargo. The increased span made the installation of two additional motors possible. It is a rugged, conventional low-wing monoplane with tricycle undercarriage. The aircraft is suitable for routes in isolated and remote areas. One chinese airline ist intersted in that aircraft.

The total points awarded were 26.

P.50 Prince
The aircraft is a twin-engine, high-wing, cantilever monoplane of all-metal stressed-skin construction with a retractable undercarriage (tricycle type). The aircraft is in service at the Chinese Coast Guard and therefore tested adequately. Unfortunately with its capacity of 8 passengers it is only at the requirement minimum. No chinese airline is interested in that aircraft.

The total points awarded were 23.

Constelacion Twin Condor (with radials or with turboprops)
The Condor is a twin-engined, high-winged aircraft designed for use off extremely short or rough airfields, and in all weather conditions. It has a short take-off and landing roll. The aircraft can be equipped with radials or with turboprops. With its capacity of 20 passengers and a range of 1450km it fullfills the requirements at it's best. Numerous chinese airlines are interested in that aircraft.

Quoted

Ikarus IK-4

The Yugoslavian IK-4 aircraft isn't considered in the commuter trials, cause the successor of this aircraft, the IK-7 is a far more intersting design and therefore is a demonstrator of this aircraft invited to China for extensive testing.

The Ikarus firm is disappointed by, but understands the basis of, the Chinese decision. It also hopes that the trials of the IK-7 prove successful and result in its adoption by one or more Chinese airlines.